Veterinary Nursing Jobs
Veterinary nurses may quite possibly have the most challenging of all nursing related jobs as their patients cannot ever tell them when they are in pain, or in need of medicine or special care. It takes a certain type of compassion and motivation combined with a great love of animals, along with the desire to learn the necessary skills needed to be involved with all aspects of their care and recovery.
Much like nurses who take care of human patients, veterinary nurses, also called veterinary technicians, have a myriad of duties, assisting the doctor with examinations, surgery, and providing medical care to different kinds of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, ferrets, and snakes.
The world of veterinary medicine is an exciting one as there are several types of career opportunities for vet nurses, who also have the option of specializing in specific areas such as emergency, surgical, critical, or dental care. Other vet nurses choose to work for companies who manufacture pet foods or those that develop medicines, while others seek employment in rural practices.
Depending on your location, training to become a vet nurse may require the completion of a year long certification program, or a one, two, or even four year degree program. Some students are employed on a part time basis while they receive their training, with many going on to be hired full time at the same location. Most vet nurses who have recently finished their schooling begin their careers in a private veterinary practice, although the demand continues to grow in other areas such as in a teaching capacity, doing bioresearch, working for zoos and humane societies, or even in veterinary supply sales.
The average day for a veterinary nurse is definitely a busy one, filled with a wide range of differing challenges and a variety of interesting patients, each needing the care and expertise of a trained medical professional.
Some of the many important duties of a vet nurse may include:
- Performing physical examinations
- Caring for hospitalized patients
- Administering medications and vaccinations
- Providing surgical assistance
- Preparing surgical equipment
- Anesthesiology
- Handling clinical laboratory procedures
- Educating pet owners/clients
- Research
- Office/clerical duties and management
- Maintaining/cleaning cages
As with any type of profession or career, there are a few disadvantages or drawbacks to consider when deciding to pursue a career as a veterinary nurse. There is, of course, the possibility of getting bit by a sick or injured animal, as well as the matters of dealing with the loss of patients, and the aspect of euthanasia, which are often quoted as being the two hardest parts of being a vet nurse.
A veterinary nurse must also have grief counseling skills as they often help clients cope with the loss of a beloved pet, however, it is frequently said that the reward for loving and caring for the animals and their needs far outweigh the negatives.
The field of veterinary nursing continues to offer rewarding and challenging careers for those who are interested in combining their love of animals with medical expertise to provide an excellent level of care for all of their patients.
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